The Crystal Mill

The Crystal Mill is a Colorado icon. It is one of the most photographed places in the state. It’s been on my list to see and photograph for years…decades really. When I finally got the opportunity to go in fall of 2021, it turned out to be quite an adventure. I went with a group of incredible female photographers at the perfect time of year. We were able to be escorted down close to the falls and the riverbed for shooting. Then, I lost my camera and lens in the falls. While it didn’t survive, luckily the memory card did, and I was able to walk away with an image like this.

The area became so popular that it was closed off so wanderers. People may view it from a dirt road alongside, but wandering in, on, and around the mill is limited and restricted. The Mill is much more protected now so that it may be shared and preserved. You can read about its interesting history at the following site: https://marblecolorado.org/history/.